Joseph schneider



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

JOSEPH SCHNEIDER, OF ASHTON-ON-MERSEY, ENGLAND.

PROCESS OF MERCERIZING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 621,477, dated March 21, 1899.

I Application filed March 15, 1897. Serial No. 627,551. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH SCHNEIDER, chemist, a subject of the Emperor-of Germany, residing at Ashton-on-Mersey, in the county of Chester, England, have invented certain new and useful improvements in the treatment of fibers and fibrous or textile materials to improve the appearance or finish and facilitate the operation of dyeing, of which the following is a specification, and for which I have obtained Letters Patent in Great Britain, No. 19,428, dated September 2, 1896. v

The process of mercerizing yarns or textile materials to give a luster to the fibers and facilitate the absorption of dyes is well known and has hitherto been carried out by treating the fabric in a concentrated solution of sodium hydrate or caustic soda. The use of caustic soda for this purpose I find to be objectionable in that it absorbs or combines with a quantity of the carbonic acid of the atmosphere, rendering it inoperative and causing the production of irregular results in the dyeing. I find that if the material is treated with a solution containing sodium sulfid (Na s or potassium sulfid K 8) in the proper proportions with the addition to the solution of ethylor methyl alcohol, sulfonated or oxidized oils, benzene,benzol, solvent naphtha or naphtha oil, turpentine, or petroleum much better results are obtained and that a permanent luster is imparted to the fiber not otherwise obtainable.

The material may be treated in the form of yarn or after it has been woven into a fabric.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated the apparatus I have designed for treating yarn in the hank.

Figure 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section; Fig. 3, a plan.

I prefer abath,preferably cold, containing a solution of sodium or potassium sulfid (Na S or K S) in the proportion of about thirty per centum, though it may be made stronger or weaker, as may be found desirable, according to quality or degree of fineness of the fiber to be treated therewith. To this solu tion I also add about ten per cent. of one of the following solvents: benzine, sulfonated or oxidized oils, (olein, turkey-redoil, or the like,) benzol, ethyl or methyl alcohol, naphtha, turpentine, or petroleum. In the bath when thus prepared the solvent remains on top and the yarn or fabric passing through is first impregnated therewith and the fat or gum dissolved before entering the alkaline solution. The yarn'or material to be treated is immersed in this bath until completely saturatedsay from fifteen to thirty minutesand then withdrawn. During the process of-immersion or immediately after the yarn or material is subjected to the mechanical operation of stretching to prevent the shrinkage that would otherwisetake place. For yarn in the hank I employ the apparatus or frame A shown in the drawings, upon which the yarn is first placed upon the arms B and C. The lower arms B are mounted upon a pillow D, and the upper arms 0 are carried by the stays E and screw F, by which latter they can be adjusted and drawn away from the lower arms B to give the desired amount of stretching to the fabric.

Instead of immersion the solution may be applied by means of a spray or otherwise caused to saturate the material.

The use of the solvents before entering the strong solution I consider of very great importance, as their use greatly facilitates the absorption by the material of the alkaline medium and shortens the process, and it also renders the treatment of the material completely uniform, so that it can afterward be dyed of an even or level shade throughout. This is of the utmost importance in dealing with light shades or colors. The solvent may be used separately and may be poured over the material or it may first be immersed therein.

When removed from the bath, the yarn or material is immersed in another bath of water or otherwise thoroughly washed to remove all traces of the alkaline solution.

This process renders the fibers bright, lustrous, and glossy in appearance, almost like silk. 1

What I claim as my invention, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is"- 1. The process of treating textile materials to produce a lustrous and glossy appearance, and render them capable'of the better absorption of dyes and colors which consists in saturating the said materials with a strong (thirty per cent.) solution of an alkaline sulfid in a cold state, and subsequently stretching the material While in a pliable condition to prevent shrinkage and the thickening of the fibers and give a silky gloss and luster thereto, substantially as described. 7

2. The process of imparting to yarns and textile fabrics a lustrous and glossy appearance comprising treating the material with a solvent to dissolve oily matters, then with a strong alkaline lye to change the nature of the fibers and subjecting the material to stretching to prevent and recover shrinkage and give a silky gloss and luster thereto and washing while stretched to remove the lye from the fibers substantially as described.

3. The process of imparting to yarn and textile fabrics a lustrous and glossy appearance and rendering them capable of the better absorption of dyes and colors, compris- 2o JOSEPH SCHNEIDER.

Witnesses:

I. OvvnEN OBRIEN, HARRY BARNFATHER. 

